THE
GAZETTE VOLUME 8 • ISSUE 15 JULY 29, 2021
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WILTON MANORS
‘Where’s Gary?’ Wilton Manors Commissioner Draws Heat Over Attending Meetings via Zoom By John McDonald
Ahead of this week’s jam-packed meeting via Zoom as the commission adhered to schedule, the whereabouts of one Wilton COVID-19 protocols. Resnick said he has used Manors commissioner is being called into the video conferencing platform to attend Broward League of Cities and National League question. “Where in the world is Gary Resnick?” writes of Cities meetings. “There have been more meetings this year Wilton Manors resident Jake Valentine in an between the city and league email to the Gazette. “Maybe than any prior year,” he said. with Carmen Sandiego? Being in the room, however, Maybe with Waldo? My bet is is a different experience. This Waldo…” week’s schedule is loaded with Waldo is a reference to the the two commission meetings, popular children’s puzzle two budget workshops and books where kids search for an Island City Foundation a bespectacled, toboggan meeting. wearing character. Attached “It’s inappropriate for him to to Valentine’s email was a be missing meetings in person,” spreadsheet showing Resnick said Doug Blevins, vice chair of absent for eight commission the Wilton Drive Improvement meetings since 2019. District. “He’s not getting the “If Wilton Manors is going full effect of people coming to require someone to live in to comment and a good sense the City to run for commission, of what’s happening as a does that mean they can move Vice Chair of the Wilton Drive governing body.” as soon as they are elected?” Improvement District Blevins is a longtime Resnick Valentine wrote. “Do we want foe, having come up short in part-time residents as city a couple of attempts to oust commissioners?” Asked to respond to Valentine’s Resnick from the dais. Blevins called Resnick charges, Resnick denied being an absentee a smart attorney with a passive-aggressive style. commissioner. “He’s lazy,” Blevins said. “He avoids “I haven’t missed any meetings and I still any direct confrontation with the other live in Wilton Manors,” Resnick said. The majority of Resnick’s meeting commissioners and if he doesn’t like the attendance this year has been virtually discussion he’ll log off.”
“He avoids any direct confrontation with the other commissioners and if he doesn’t like the discussion he’ll log off.” - Doug Blevins
The Wilton Manors City Commission Chamber. Photo credit: Carina Mask.
Blevins is alluding to last month’s fivehour meeting when Resnick decided to exit before the stroke of midnight. “He took his ball and went home,” Blevins said. “It was immature and disrespectful to fellow commissioners.” Valentine said it’s time for Resnick to enter the arena and face the public. “It’s time to have some accountability for Wilton Manors commissioners for missed meetings and long stretches away from
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the City, especially in times of crisis, not to mention rezoning, etc.” Valentine also wants commissioners who use Zoom to disclose their location. “Commissioners should NOT use the chamber backdrop in video meetings if they are not in the city!” Valentine writes. “While the records show many missed meetings by Resnick, was he even in the state during the Zoom meetings he did participate in?”
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